BRILLIANT PIECE IN THE DAILY BEAST

"As the economy teeters on the precipice of a double-dip recession, as millions of Americans search in vain for a job, as tens of millions of homeowners are underwater, as poverty soars and the middle class is hammered, the Speaker of the House is pushing a proposal that—let me repeat a Greenstein analysis—“could well produce the greatest increase in poverty and hardship in modern U.S. history.” Deep cuts in every domestic priority—from education for disabled children to food safety to homeland security to clean air and water. Followed by painful cuts in Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. But not a dollar in new revenue. Not one corporate loophole closed, not one billionaire asked to pay one penny in higher taxes."

Paul Begalla in the Daily Beast

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/07/29/republicans-on-the-debt-ceiling-screwing-over-america.html?om_rid=NHk2HO&om_mid=_BONAKsB8chDdsU

PARTY ELDERS COULD ADD WISDOM & LEADERSHIP TO CURRENT SITUATIONS

Newt Gingrich, Bill Clinton, Alan Greenspan, Bob Dole, George Mitchell, Trent Lott....there are former economic heavyweights and party leaders out there....why aren't they being brought into the process? The current leaders need to drop their egos and ask for help.

Immediately raise the debt ceiling so we can pay for what we already spent, then hash out a bi-partisan economic policy....it's not so tough. And with a senior bi-partisan commission, the current leaders would listen and fall in line.

Unfortunately, party elders are rarely, if ever sought out for their counsel. Foreign affairs? There are experts on the sidelines willing and able to lend their expertise and wisdom. The same holds true for any issue or situation that might arise,yet we do not get them involved. WHY? Ego, pure and simple.

A TICKING TIME BOMB MANUFACTURED LARGELY OUT OF MANURE

As news reports continue to filter out of Norway in response to the horrific slaughter of nearly 100 students, we learn more about the frame of mind and motive of a mad man; a self-described right winger and opponent of increasing immigration of foreigners, especially those of the Muslim faith.

These right wing sentiments, grounded in fear and bigotry, are already flourishing in the United States, and are beginning to take a strong foothold across Europe as well, and not just with right wing extremist groups. Multi-cultural tolerance has largely met its demise in Europe.

Great Britain's Cameron, Germany's Merkel and France's Sarcozy have all declared any tolerance to immigration dangerous, and Merkel went so far as to say "multiculturalism has failed...utterly failed." Cameron states that his countries immigration policies have led to segregated communities within which "extremist radicalism can thrive."

In France, the right wing National Guards leader Marine Le Pen has gained favor with the French to the extent it is a real possibility she could be elected President...in fact her popularity is surging in many national polls within France. She compares the public praying of Muslims outside overcrowded mosques in her country to the Nazi occupation.

In the Netherlands, Geert Wilder, leader of the Party for Freedom, having won over 15% of the previous general election, equates the Koran to Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf.

In Finland, their third largest political party is the right wing "True Finns" with almost 20% of the voting electorate. In Norway, the second largest political party, with over 25% of the votes in their last election is the right wing Progress Party.

So when reports come in from Norway of a right wing zealot attempting to make a political statement with a bombing, then the gathering up of young students and summarily opening fire upon them, then hunting the fleeing survivors with a barrage of gunshots, we shouldn't be shocked, welcome to the new normal.

This is not news to us in the U.S. either, as Timothy McVeigh, the perpetrator of the Oklahoma City bombing which killed 168 people, described himself as a right winger as well. Need more proof? Read the comments on any right wing political board, or blog....you will be amazed....at the anti-government and anti-culturalism sentiments that proliferates the comments.

Of course in a democracy, they are entitled to their opinions and I am certainly not trying to suggest we round them up and place them into internment camps....I am just saying it might be wise when confronted with a customer looking to buy a ton of steer manure and a propane tank, we check their vehicle for a Obama/Biden bumper sticker before completing the sale.
And that is the world...The World According to Kimba....thanks for reading.

WHOSE SIDE IS HE ON????

I am all for reaching across the aisle. I am all for a bi-partisan approach to solving our nation's issues and obstacles, as the correct answer can usually be found within the middle ground, and the more sane, less radical elements of Congress.

However, President Obama has taken reaching across the aisle to mean bending over backwards. He has turned "kow-towing" into an art form.....keeping Gates on as Defense Secretary, completely keeping the Bush Middle East strategy, keeping the Bush tax cuts, etc. etc. He promised us change, and the only thing that has changed is he has completely lost any genitalia he may have once had.

It is time he realizes he may well be a one term president and start pushing the liberal agenda....and that starts with insisting on a two year moratorium on the Bush tax cuts targeting the rich (at least, if not a total reversal).

$4 trillion in added revenue is at stake. Good Lord, wouldn't that be more palatable than cutting Medicaid to the point that seniors will be too poor to get treatment? That our seniors will become homeless due to the medical treatment that may save (or prolong) their lives? That seniors will be forced to decide between financially devastating their spouses retirement, or receiving life sustaining treatment?

It's time that Obama finds whatever is left of his testicles and put his foot down with John Boehner on the tax cuts. The wealthy typically do not create jobs....Bush has proven...history has proven...time and time again,that tax breaks for the wealthy do not "trickle down," they just make the wealthy wealthier. Mr. President, you have the job...now act like it, and represent all those that voted you into power.

Three years...three years of wishing my vote for Hillary put a real man into the Oval....instead of the apologetic piece of shit we have in office at present. Be a man and stand up for what you know and believe...if you in fact believe in anything other than breaking a color barrier at the top. Time is wasting, Mr. President.

THE BRUTAL ECONOMIC TRUTH THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW

I'M ON A FRAMERS QUOTATION BENT

"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between Church and State ... " Thomas Jefferson

LET FREEDOM RING !

"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."
John Adams